Manchester, United Kingdom – An ambulance worker in Manchester, UK, was sentenced to 20 years in prison following a brutal hammer attack on her manager over a roster dispute. Stacey Smith, 46, carried out what authorities described as a “frenzied and unprovoked” assault on her manager, Michala Morton, outside Morton’s Tameside home. The incident, fueled by a prolonged disagreement over work shifts, left Morton with severe injuries, including a broken wrist.
Reports indicate that the altercation escalated when Smith began attacking Morton with a hammer early on the morning of November 11, 2023. Following the assault, Smith chillingly texted a friend confessing to the attack, mentioning causing “serious head injuries” to Morton. The situation stemmed from a deteriorating relationship between the two women since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to disagreements over shift patterns.
During the court proceedings at Manchester Crown Court, Smith was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison, with an additional five-year license period to be served upon release. Authorities noted that the violent attack had caused significant physical and psychological harm to the victim, with Detective Constable Stephen McNee emphasizing the long-lasting trauma inflicted on Morton.
In response to the incident, local residents who witnessed the attack came to Morton’s aid, providing immediate first aid and ensuring that the hammer used in the assault was properly preserved for forensic analysis. The community support and quick action of these residents were pivotal in assisting law enforcement agencies with their investigation and securing evidence for the case. The victim’s bravery in cooperating with authorities was also commended for aiding in the pursuit of justice for the heinous assault.